Kite in Flight

Abstract

Adolescent girls are subjected to strong sociocultural forces as they shape and discover their sense of identity. We propose the therapeutic concerns of young women may be relieved by increased empowerment achieved through identity development and the strengthening of interpersonal boundaries. Feminist family therapy and Bowen family systems theory are integrated to offer a clinical approach toward greater empowerment through increased differentiation in the context of dating relationships. This approach applies a developmental perspective to the unique challenges faced by young women in Western society. The metaphor of a “Kite in Flight” is offered to help therapists conceptualize the elements of the model and goals for treatment. Case examples and interventions are provided, as well as the model application for Specific clinical considerations. doi:10.1300/J086vl9n04_01

Key Words:

• Adolescence
• identity
• feminist family therapy